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improving effectiveness. As a fall back they may suggest an alternative to direct broadcasting at much less cost would be to change the services into "special project" operations by supplying tapes in Japanese and Malay for local rebroadcasting. We would welcome your comments and those of Kuala Lumpur on this possible approach.
9.
It remains to be seen how strongly the BBC would resist any attempt to close the services; past precedent suggests they may not give them up lightly. We shall keep you informed of developments. In the meantime, it would be helpful to have confirmation from you and Kuala Lumpur that you would not envisage any unacceptable local diplomatic repercussions if a decision was taken in November to close either of the Services in order to deploy the resources to higher FCO broadcasting priorities elsewhere.
yours ever
Галет Осло ий
CJ Rawlinson
Information Department
CC:
Sir Alan Donald, KCMG, Peking
W K K White Esq CMG, Jakarta
JNT Spreckley Esq CMG, Kuala Lumpur D Tonkin Esq CMG, Bangkok
ET Davies Esq CMG, Hanoi
M E Pike Esq CMG, Singapore
R Westbrook Esq, Bandar Seri Begawan
R E Holloway Esq CMG, BTC Hong Kong
B McCleary Esq, FED
P Thomas Esq, SEAD
K Walker Esq, Research Dept
R Footman Esq, HKD
Mrs A Kirk, Planners
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